Krab

155-mm self-propelled howitzer

Polish army
requirement is for 80 Krab self-propelled artillery systems

Entered service

2012

Crew

5 men

Dimensions and weight

Weight

49.8 t

Length (gun forward)

11.7 m

Hull length

?

Width

3.5
m

Height

3.4 m

Armament

Main gun

155-mm howitzer

Barrel length

52 calibers

Machine guns

1 x 12.7-mm

Projectile weight

?

Maximum firing range

30 - 40 km

Maximum rate of fire

6 rpm

Elevation range

- 3.5 to + 70 degrees

Traverse range

360 degrees

Ammunition load

Main gun

60 rounds

Machine guns

?

Mobility

Engine

S-12U diesel

Engine power

850 hp

Maximum road speed

60 km/h

Range

650 km

Maneuverability

Gradient

60%

Side slope

30%

Vertical step

0.8 m

Trench

2.8 m

Fording

1 m

The Krab (crab)
self-propelled howitzer, developed by BAE Systems Land Systems, won
international competition to meet future self-propelled artillery
systems requirement for the Polish Army. Polish requirement is for
80 howitzers of this type. The first order was expected in 2008.
However Polish MoD halted its order due to a possible bribery case.
A total of 24 howitzers were ordered. As of 2012 8 howitzers have
been built and are in service with the Polish Army. However future
of this artillery system is uncertain due to various problems. Indian Army
also expressed interest in obtaining these
artillery systems.

Turret of
the Krab is almost identical to that installed on the
AS90 Braveheart. This turret will be license produced in Poland. It is
fitted with 155-mm / L52 howitzer, which is compatible with all
standard NATO 155-mm ammunition. The Krab has an automatic
projectile loading system and modular charge system. Maximum range
of fire is 30 km with standard HE-FRAG projectile and 40 km with
rocket assisted. A total of 60 rounds are carried.

Secondary
armament consists of a roof-mounted 12.7-mm machine gun.

The Krab is
fitted with polish fire control system, intercom and radios. Vehicle
is completed with Danish muzzle reference system, which tracks
outgoing projectiles and adjusts the next shot.

This
self-propelled artillery system has all-welded steel construction.
Armor o provides protection against small arms fire and artillery
shell splinters. It is fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire
suppression system.

The Krab
uses modified chassis of the
PT-91
Twardy man battle tank. It is powered by S-12U diesel engine, developing 850
horsepower. Vehicle is fitted with a self-entrenching blade. However
since 2012 production of the S-12U engine stopped. Another engine
was proposed as an alternative. It is German MTU-881 Ka500. However
it do not fits in the Krab hull. In 2013 it was reported that Krab
will use chassis of the
Turkish T-155 Firtina SPH. However in 2014 it was reported that Poland
plans to acquire 120 tracked chassis of the South Korean
K9
self-propelled howitzer. Actually the T-155 is a license-produced version of
the K9. It is likely that it appeared more reasonable to import
chassis directly from South Korea. First chassis was completed in
2015. It is planned that 36 units will be produced in South Korea
and the rest 84 in Poland.